When does a cart path become 2

[MikeB]

A players ball comes to rest on a cart path just past a point where said path splits in two different directions, one towards the hole & one 90 degrees to the right. He takes relief at NPR which is on grass between the 2 paths but the ball, when dropped, rolls away from the hole approx 3 feet onto the path which heads off towards the right.

As I understand it, if the ball had rolled back onto the original path it would be re-dropped then placed if necessary but does the other branch of the path count as the same condition as defined in 20-2c (v) and would he then be entitled to take further relief frm the 2nd part of the path?

Can anyone advise?

http://www.randa.org/Rules-of-Golf/...ong-Place/SubRules/2-Dropping-and-Re-Dropping

 

[mikejohnchapman]

I believe the correct process it to take relief serially. Thus if the first drop at the NPR rolls onto the path but stops before it has rolled over a club length away then it is a valid drop. You then repeat the process finding the new NPR and drop again.

Only issue would be if the gap between the path on the angle didn't allow full relief. Then you would have to treat them as a single entity to establish the NPR.

 

[backwoodsman]

Not sure why one would consider the path to be two separate obstructions even if it does split?

If you take relief & lift it off the path, and then take your drop in the corner of the bifurcation, and it rolls onto the "other" arm of the path, I'd say it is still on the the same obstruction. So my thought is that you have to redrop, then place if necessary

 

[rulie]

A players ball comes to rest on a cart path just past a point where said path splits in two different directions, one towards the hole & one 90 degrees to the right. He takes relief at NPR which is on grass between the 2 paths but the ball, when dropped, rolls away from the hole approx 3 feet onto the path which heads off towards the right.

As I understand it, if the ball had rolled back onto the original path it would be re-dropped then placed if necessary but does the other branch of the path count as the same condition as defined in 20-2c (v) and would he then be entitled to take further relief frm the 2nd part of the path?

Can anyone advise?

http://www.randa.org/Rules-of-Golf/...ong-Place/SubRules/2-Dropping-and-Re-Dropping

If the two sections of cart paths are connected at all, they should be treated as a single immovable obstruction. If not connected, then they are treated as two separate immovable obstructions and each must be dealt with separately.
For the one that your ball is on, find the nearest point of relief (nearest spot to where the ball lies on the path) that is not nearer the hole and provides relief for the lie of the ball, area of intended stance and swing for the stroke that you would play if the cart path was not there. Drop the ball within one club length of this nearest point of relief but not nearer the hole. If the ball rolls into any of the conditions noted in Rule 20-2c, then a re-drop is required. If it again rolls into any of the conditions in Rule 20-2c, place the ball at the spot where it struck the course on the re-drop.
If the two cart paths are separate, rolling onto the second cart path does not require a re-drop or placing; it is a new situation. You can choose to play the ball from where it now lies or take relief from the second cart path as above.

In rare situations, you may get into a "ping pong" relief situation. In that case, refer to this Decision http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!decision-01,d1-4-8

 

[rulefan]

That is the right and comprehensive answer.

 

[rulie]

One more quirk - if the paths are separate IO, the nearest point of relief from the first one may be on the second one. If this happens, the ball must be dropped within one club length of the point on the second path, then proceed according to the ball's final position after following the Rules indicated above.

 

[MikeB]

Thanks Rulie, that seems clear.